Symptoms of chronic mitral valve regurgitation (MR) may take decades to appear. With acute MR, symptoms come on suddenly and you are critically ill.

Chronic mitral valve regurgitation

If you have mild-to-moderate chronic mitral valve regurgitation, you may never develop symptoms. If you have moderate-to-severe disease, you may not have symptoms for decades. Depending on the severity of your mitral valve regurgitation and condition of your heart, you may not develop symptoms of heart failure for many years.

Symptoms appear as the left ventricle expands to accommodate the larger amount of blood (volume overload) flowing into the chamber. The larger the left ventricle, the more advanced the MR. Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath with exertion, which may later develop into shortness of breath at rest and at night.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Fluid buildup in the legs and feet.
• Heart palpitations, if atrial fibrillation develops.

Acute mitral valve regurgitation

Symptoms of acute mitral valve regurgitation develop suddenly. Most people who develop acute MR are already in the hospital or emergency room because of another heart problem. Symptoms include severe shortness of breath, coughing, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.